I am originally from Warner Robins, GA, home of Warner Robins AFB. My dad was killed in a car accident when I was 5. My mom, who had three little kids at the time, worked at the BX and eventually met an airman 3rd class and fell in love. Within 6 months, we were in Japan. What a culture shock, but the kids were young

Then

enough that it didn't hurt too much.

We had a great time in Japan. The people were so friendly and we wandered around without any fear. We had an Americanized house that was built by a local Japanese man so we didn't have to live in on-base housing for our first year. We lived in Japan for three years and were transferred back to Warner Robins AFB. Back home with lots of family, for a while.

Luckily we spent a few years in Warner Robins where I made some lasting friendships that I would renew several years

Now

later.

We spent three years in France where some great memories were forged. You can read about my memories of France and Dreux American High School on the Dreux web site.

After Evreux and Dreux, we moved to Hamilton AFB in Novato, California, north of San Francisco. I attended Novato High School for half of my 10th and 11th grades.  Then dad was sent to Thailand on TDY.  Of course, the family couldn't go, so mom decided to move us all back to my hometown of Warner Robins, GA.  Back home with relatives and kids that I had gone to grade school with before we went to France. 

Moving back home was nice because I had ready made friends that I remembered from 5th, 6th and 7th grade.  I did well in High School, especially in sports.  Broke a few school track records, played football, wrestled (won State at 120 lbs), ran track and played baseball.  I was the only student to ever letter in four Varsity sports in my Senior year.  Took home awards for Most Outstanding in Wrestling and in Track.

I graduated in 1968 from Northside High School and considered a partial scholarship in wrestling from the University of Georgia, but there just wasn't enough money to stay.  Dad returned from Thailand right before my graduation and we were to be stationed at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA.  I decided to move to California with the family and planned to attend college where it was less expensive.  Dad packed up the family in a blue station wagon and we drove across the US from Georgia to Sacramento.  What a trip that was with two adults and five kids and all of our luggage. I would like to say that we bonded, but that would be wrong.

I found a part time job right away with Sears in the catalog department and spent four year there, all through college. I attended American River Jr. College and earned a 2 year business degree and transferred to Sacramento State College where I earned my BS degree in Personnel Management.  I met a preacher's daughter named Sandy and we married in my Junior year.

In 1971 my draft number was high enough so that I was never called up for military service.  No doubt that I would have spent some time in the Republic of Vietnam which I did not want to do.  I did have a scare with the Draft Board and had to take a bus to Oakland for a pre-induction physical.  I passed and was classified as 1-A, prime beef.  I immediately called my Draft Board in Georgia and was told not to worry that I would be reclassified to 2-S (Student Deferment). It happened just that way, but was too close for me. I worked real hard and made good grades.

I planned to stay on with Sears after college but they stopped hiring for full time management positions so I put my resume out.  Got a sales job with American Express Company and was sent to Portland, OR to open a new office.  I covered Oregon (what a beautiful state), Northern California and Western Idaho.  We lived there for two years before we separated.  Shortly after that I asked for and received a transfer to San Francisco.  I spent 12 years with American Express and moved 8 times.  I lived in San Francisco on two occasions, Sacramento, NYC, Atlanta and Charlotte, NC. 

I remarried quickly and we had three beautiful children. This marriage lasted 11 years.  I am still close with my ex and we have four wonderful grandchildren.  They all live in Augusta, GA which is two hours from Greenville.  Just far enough away so that I don't have to deal with the drama.  Just writing checks all the time.

I left Amex and began a 20 year career with Discover card in Greenville, SC. What a good move. Greenville is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mt.  I love the mountains, especially the hiking and the many water falls. We also spend a lot of time on the South Carolina coast in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island. I got involved in the Greenville community right away and have not slowed down in 20 years.  I met Mary Jane soon after moving to Greenville. I have to admit that I met her in a bar, but it has worked out just fine. We dated for 8 years (somehow I learned a lesson from my previous marriages) before we married.  That was 11 years ago.

Mary Jane is from Long Island, NY.  New York apple meets Georgia peach.  She is a wonderful person and works as a nurse at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.  She has one daughter who is finishing up her college degree in May 2013...yea! 

I hope to retire from Discover in two years and possibly buy a small place near Hilton Head, SC.  Maybe in a small community with like minded people and a golf course.  But for now, I work out of my home and stay busy around the town doing lots of volunteer work.  If you are ever near Greenville, look me up.  Would love to meet you and share some memories.

Then

Jan Rupe (Batik) is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and was an Air Force brat in England, Canada and France. Stateside, she lived in northern and southern California. Jan attended Dreux American High School from 1963-1966, and she has served as secretary for the Dreux Alumni Association since 1997. Jan's favorite memories of Dreux are the times she spent with her roomies, Vicky, Donna, Charmi, Birgit and Diana.

Jan has a bachelor's degree in French with a minor in Spanish from the University of Kentucky. She did graduate-level work in business administration at the University of Louisville, and has worked at UofL for over 30 years. Jan takes care of international travel

Now

authorizations at University of Louisville and will retire in 2014. She is building a home at Falls of Rough, Kentucky, on Rough River Lake.